Kiru city was the largest city of the Overworld. The castle of the ruler was in the middle of the capital. When the sun shined on the city with its morning light, the walls seemed to turn into gold.
The Mipedians could see the castle behind the walls. Marquis Darini, Mudeenu and Theb-Saar approached the gate leading in the city. The three mounted on their reptilian mount. On one of them, the king guided it towards the city, with his mount charged with a few goods. The others followed him behind.
"It has been a long time since I've seen Maxxor. He just became ruler last time I met him," the Mipedian king reminisced.
"Yeah," his nephew gazed at the side.
"You've been inside these walls recently. How was it?" Theb-Saar asked.
"Bigger than when I was young. Those are recent walls made with the expansion of the city," he replied.
Marquis Darini chuckled. He was a pale green Mipedian with a short beard and whiskers towards the yellow color, amber eyes and a long tail. His yellow fin on the side of his head and the top were raised up. He wore a blue cape and a loincloth of the same color, "They had been building a new library recently. With everything discovered at Kaizeph, they want to make one for its history. The previous one has no space anymore and couldn't expand, without getting the risk to collapse with too many floors."
They reached the gate and the king said, "You remember what we came here for?"
The two nodded.
"Good," he raised his head and looked at the guards and said, "Tell your ruler that his guests have arrived!"
They had demanded a meeting. They saw the guard using his spectral viewer to count how many guards they had.
The gate opened and they went inside. The three of them and the guards surrounding them, invisible.
Chapter 9: Mission At Kiru City Part 1
When they entered in the city, they were greeted by Maxxor, surrounded by his own guards. The ruler of the Overworld was a tall green-skinned humanoid creature, with strange purple markings across his body and black hair with white highlights. He wore a red tunic and a brown belt with a blue gem on the middle, "Welcome Theb-Saar."
The Mipedian king smiled, "It has been a while Maxxor. You sure have matured since the last time we met."
"You didn't help that much back then," the ruler of the Overworld replied as they marched through the city.
The blue Mipedian gazed around and lightly smirked as nothing really changed since his self-imposed exile. He noticed the nervous and suspicious gaze of the citizens. However, it was less intense and hostile than last time, the alliance sure eases our tribes relationship among the citizens, it made him smile a little.
His red eyes went to the back and noticed two Chaotic Players. One with black hair and the other one with brown hair. He quickly recognised Peyton but not the other boy. He never met him, but he could guess it was MajorTom. They were walking together. No one really noticed them as the attention was centered on himself, stay out of trouble Peyton, he thought. He came to the city to negotiate with Maxxor for a reason.
He simply hoped that those two wouldn't be at the wrong place at the wrong time.
Theb-Saar, Mudeenu and Marquis Darini walked in the meeting room and sat at one side of the table, near the exit door while Maxxor went to the other side and sat by the side of Najarin. Usually, Tangath Toborn would be there to help Maxxor as one of his councillors, but the humanoid lion wasn't in the living world anymore. One thing Theb-Saar regretted. The lion creature was the one who stopped him from teasing Maxxor too much back then, despite also lacking in experience.
"You came back from Kaizeph for this meeting Najarin?" Marquis Darini asked as he played with his short beard.
"Of course," the High Muge replied. He pointed at Mudeenu, "But I wonder why you brought him instead of Tiane or Iflar?"
The Mipedian in question frowned and grunted. Both were better choice.
"Calm down," his uncle ordered. He crossed his fingers together, as he saw Peyton did once and liked it. He rested his chin on it. It felt good for some reason, "It is time that my nephew learns to better his self control and I want him to help in the external affair while my son takes care of the internal affair… for now."
Maxxor nodded. The five began having a polite conversation to start the meeting and eventually, it was time to go to the subject, "May I inquire on why you requested this meeting? I know you never specify it was urgent but you wanted an answer as fast as possible."
"Of course, Maxxor. I request it because I am finally up to date with everything and… There is something Chaor took from you and it made me uneasy for my tribe," he rested his hand on the table. He could see the other ruler getting uneasy by the way his green face shifted ever so slightly. It was much more discreet than their last meeting, "One that I cannot let two tribes have the advantage for. Of course, I would not ask this without offering something in return."
"I still think this is a bad idea to offer them those," Mudeenu commented.
That brought the attention of the two Overworlders. Mudeenu wasn't someone who downplay the value of anything, even if it would be at his own advantage.
"It will be beneficial for both tribe," Darini said with a small smile, "There is always a price to pay Mudeenu for peace. Something you aren't that used."
The prince gazed at the other side, before focusing on the two in front of them.
"Can you tell us what you want from us?" Najarin asked.
"Of course. There is one battlegear Chaor stole from you and we want it as a safety measure. The Telebracers."
The two Overworlders didn't like where this was going. He could guess just by the face of Maxxor slightly twitching. Najarin was as stoic as he remembered. He went where they feared it would.
"I already told him how it works and how efficient it was compared to the Flux Bubble. So do not try to downplay it Overworlders," the prince pointed his claw at Maxxor.
"And what are you offering in exchange," the green Overworlder asked.
"Very simple," Theb-Saar snapped his fingers and the door opened. One of the servants of the king gave him his bag and put it on the table. He took four tablets out of it and presented them on the table. He wanted the Overworlders to see what he had but not enough to read it, "Those tablets have been excavated by Taffial in Kaizeph. It wasn't easy to get all of this out of the ice. It does tell the story of this mysterious guest. I got one that mentioned you Najarin," a small smirk appeared on his face when he got the complete attention of the Hugh Muge. He put them back in the bag, "I want to exchange those tablets with the plan of the Telebracer. We want to make one on our own."
"And maybe more," the green humanoid being state as his muscles tensed, "You could use it to attack us behind our walls."
"I can assure you that this is the last of my intention," he honestly answered.
Maxxor gazed at Mudeenu, being a little uncertain, "What if you pulled something like your nephew or if he doesn't do something on your back. He wanted to claim Broken Edge when it's neutral territory. As you and father agreed," he played with his fingers as he stated his suspicions.
The red eyes of the blue Mipedian quickly went to the pink eyes of his nephew who gazed down. Those eyes returned into the brown one of Maxxor.
"I was overambitious. I went against the will of my uncle and my cousin," the orange Mipedian quickly said as he scratched his snout. He never forgot that punishment.
"I am far from my father Maxxor," it was all that he said.
Maxxor and Najarin talked together.
The Mipedians did the same.
"I'm sure it won't work," Mudeenu whispered as he pointed at them, "Najarin might be interested by it but Maxxor is cautious. Very cautious."
"I agree with Mudeenu my king. They won't give up something like the Telebracers when they believe we can greatly misuse it or against them."
"We came prepared," he replied to the two. He gazed at his nephew, "Prepare yourself at my signal. If negotiation fails, you know what to do."
"Yes."
The three waited for the decision. They could feel their blood boiling. It was just like a battle about to come. Their muscles were tensing under their scales. Thankfully, the scales hid the subtle change in their muscles. It was one advantage their tribe and the Danians had.
Maxxor and Najarin turned their gaze at them. They could see the Hugh Muge displease with the decision.
"I hope we reach an agreement Maxxor," the blue Mipedian said with a small smile.
"I'm sorry but we cannot take this risk. I know you won't misuse it but if the Danians or Underworlders managed to get the plans, it will endanger both our tribe. Chaor might have the Telebracers but won't be able to reproduce it to make more without knowledge," he replied.
"The safety of our two tribes are put at risk if more of those plans could be found," his councillor explained.
Marquis Darini prepared his counterargument, "We understand. However, not having one ourselves would put our tribe at risk-"
Theb-Saar gave a quick gaze around. No one was directly looking at his tribe and his tail tapped the tail of his nephew twice.
Mudeenu glared at the Overworlders as he showed his fangs. He stood up and yelled, "Of course you would refuse! You probably are already planning to attack our tribe with those Telebracers at any moment notice! With our king back, you are surely planning anything to betray his trust he's putting into you Maxxor! King Theb-Saar! They want to keep everything for themselves! Those Overworlder-"
"MUDEENU!" Theb-Saar grunted loudly as he grabbed the shoulder of the outraged Mipedian, "Sit down right now and do not interrupt us with those false accusations! I am back to power and those little outbursts won't be accepted anymore!"
The orange Mipedian lightly shivered and nodded, "S-sorry," and sat down.
"I am sorry for my nephew. He should learn to control himself!" he grunted.
"There is no problem Theb-Saar," Najarin replied as order came back. It wasn't the true, obviously.
For a split second, the two royal Mipedians let out a small grin as the nephew tail tapped the tail of his ruler twice himself.
At the other side of the door of the meeting room, three invisible Mipedians soldiers that accompanied the servants were waiting for the signal. They were invisible among the group, standing on the side and unnoticed by the Overworlder guards. They waited for something.
It came when they heard, "Of course you would refuse! You probably are planning to attack our tribe with those Telebracers at a moment notice! With our king back, you are surely planning anything to betray his trust he's putting into you Maxxor! King Theb-Saar! They want to keep everything for themselves! Those Overworlder-"
"MUDEENU!" they recognised their king.
"It's the signal. Begin the mission now," one whispered.
"And be very quiet," another one said.
They walked away from the door. They traversed the corridor of the castle and were quickly outside. They looked around if the guards had a Spectral Viewer. None of them had one. It was safe to proceed forward. None of the invisible Mipedians said anything as they traversed the city.
They remembered the plan. Once they heard the signal, Mudeenu being Mudeenu and their king yelling his name very loudly, it was time to begin plan B. It was funny to use the prince attitude to give a signal but it was the least suspicious one. And the prince agreed for some reason they didn't understand.
The three knew that they couldn't fail or be spotted. The relationship between the two tribes were better than ever before. If they were spotted, it would create a diplomatic incident and broke any chance of alliance in the future against the other tribes. The other problem would be that they wouldn't get the plans for the Telebracers. Everything rested on their shoulders.
As they finished reminiscing. They went to the likely location of the plan to make the battlegear. Kiru City Armory. It was their best chance and some previous intel told them that Bodal bragged a little about keeping most of the plans there. A big mouth was always useful for the Mipedians. They won't complain.
They stood in front of the armory and didn't open the door. It would drag the attention of the civilians. They needed some way to enter inside. Something was also wrong.
One of them prevented the other two from going inside. Mipedians could turn invisible from everyone, including the others of their tribe but there was a difference between them and the other tribes. They could feel where one of them was without seeing them. It was an instinct, as turning invisible was what their tribe do best, "Don't. No guards."
The other two noticed that no one was protecting the armory. An explosion occurred not that far away with a hint of someone ordering to capture someone else.
"Guess there is a pursuit."
"How do we enter?"
The last one noticed some children passing by and chuckled, "I know."
And they heard one of them knocking the door a few times. He then backed away and asked the other two to follow him elsewhere. Just that they wouldn't be close to the children.
The door opened and Bodal face appeared, looking at who knocked at the door, "Who is it? Where are the guards?" he immediately noticed with his brown eyes. He grunted when no one was there. He was a short green creature with a large skull. He wore a blue and red robe with gold-colored trim.
The invisible Mipedian chuckled, "Looks like those kids got him."
Bodal heard that and saw the children casually walking away. He took it the wrong way and went after them, "Come back here!" He went after the children and was telling them how they shouldn't prank him like that and openly lie to him.
He left the door opened and the Mipedian quickly went inside undetected. The trio was guilty of putting the children into this mouthful punishment, but it was for the sake of their mission.
Once they were in, they searched around for the plan and made a copy out of it. They made something special just for those kinds of mission. The three split up and searched for the plans of the Battlegear.
It took a minute or two and luck was on their side. "I found it," one of them said.
The three grouped up. The one in charge of the mission took out a purple crystal. One it was outside of a small bag. It wasn't invisible anymore. It was the weakness of this spygear. It couldn't be turned invisible and must be put in something that could, "Watch around."
The other two guarded in case someone appeared at the wrong time. He passed the crystal in front of the plan and it emitted a small light as it copied everything. Once it was over, he smiled as he said, "Mission complete."
And those words assured them they ran out of luck.
"I can't believe the guards chased us for so long," a boy said.
"And why was Bodal chasing after children," another one said. One the Mipedians knew too well.
Two Chaotic Players entered with their scanner out, obviously wanting a scan. They noticed the floating crystal.
The Mipedian who recognised the voice immediately recognised Peyton and his friend Tom. The two were known and respected by the two tribes.
"Floating Crystal?" the brown hair boy said. The Mipedians flinched in horror when he saw the realisation on the face of Peyton. He figured out who was there.
"W-what is going-" the one with black hair was interrupted when the two other Mipedians went from behind the Chaotic played and covered their mouth. They put some pressure on the throat and waited until the two were unconscious as they ran out of air.
Once that was done, they gazed at the problem. The two Chaotic Players were on the ground.
"We should silence them forever," one suggested.
"We are in big trouble," their leader said as he turned visible. It was Vinta who gazed at the other two who did the same, "Because Peyton is a close friend of king Theb-Saar and Tom is a close friend of Maxxor. We cannot kill them. Neither hurting them."
They must find a way out of this mess. They couldn't let them unsupervised, couldn't be found out and couldn't be hurt.
They were in a worse case scenario. Luck was such a backstabbing bitch.
AC: This is the end of the first part.
Next will follow up with their mess as they improvised a way out while Theb-Saar continued the negotiation, which he knew would go nowhere.
Hope you like that Mudeenu attitude was used as a signal.